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Crime & Investigations

Father In Agony As 14-Year-Old Boy Burnt By Brothers Dies

by Yahil Felix October 27, 2021

In a rather shocking scenario, a 14-year-old boy who was rolled-up in a mattress and doused in petrol then burnt by elder brothers has died. According to the police, the boy died while undergoing treatment at Mandera County Teaching and Referral Hospital.

“His father Abullah Hassan, who couldn’t come to terms with the loss of his beloved son, shed tears of pain and anguish as he reported his death to our officers,” said the police.

The victim, a standard seven pupil in a local primary school in Mandera was burnt by his elder brothers who feared he might testify against one of them, accused of stealing a mobile phone.

He was lured to their home by his elder brothers Ibrahim Ahmed Shaur, 20 and Yusuf Ahmed Shaur, 17. They then rolled him up in a mattress before dousing him in petrol.

The two brother who committed the beastly act are currently in police custody at Mandera Police Station. The two will be charged for murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the penal code, said the police.

October 27, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Governor Ongwae Sets Up Special Witchcraft Taskforce In Kisii

by Yahil Felix October 26, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Kisii Governor James Ongwae has set up a witchcraft taskforce to assist in unraveling the issues surrounding witchcraft murders in the county.

The taskforce, through the County Department of Culture have been given the task to find out and determine the extent of deep-seated superstitions that have seen the elderly murdered on suspicion of witchcraft.

This comes after the recent brutal killing of four women in Marani Sub-County last week after being suspected of practicing witchcraft.

The taskfroce comprises county staff and stakeholders from members of the public and human rights organisations. The group will probe and report back to the governor in three weeks’ time for further action.

While responding to the murder of four women in his home ground- Sindege Mayaka (83), Jemima Mironga (60), Sigara Onkware (62), and Agnes Ototo (57)- the governor said their killings makes no sense.

He said his government will foot postmortem and burial expenses of the four women. He added that if Kisii residents do not protect their senior citizens, they risk losing them on such flimsy grounds.

Meanwhile, police in Marani on Sunday arrested a student who was allegedly abducted by t he suspected witches sparking the lynching of the four women.

Detectives are pursuing more suspects on the run. At least six suspects connected to the lynching are in custody after appearing in court.

October 26, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

How Two Teachers Escaped The Wrath Of Angry Mob After Allegedly Refusing To Share 1 Million From Politician

by Yahil Felix October 26, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Two teachers on Tuesday caused a scene at Kambu police post after storming the post to escape the wrath of an irate mob baying for their blood.

It is alleged that the two Makueni-based teachers declined to share a million shillings from a politician who was campaigning in the area.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Chief, George Kinoti, the two teachers teaching at two local primary schools stormed Kambu police post and went straight behind the report office desk with dozens of motorbike riders hot in their pursuit.

The duo took cover behind surprised officers manning the desk. They bled with them to protect them from an angry mob that was baying for their blood.

“The officers who had a difficult time trying to clam down the mob learnt that the two men seeking refuge behind their backs, had allegedly been given a token of Ksh 1 million by a politician who was camping in the area earlier in that day,” said Kinoti.

The irate riders claimed that instead the two sharing the incentive with them and women selling merchandise in the market, they took off with the money.

“While officers tried to manage the situation, some members of the unruly mob became impatient and started hurling projectiles at them demanding that the two be released to face instant justice,” said Kinoti.

Reportedly, the officers had to recall a reinforcement from Mtito a Ndei Police Station. They managed to disperse the crowd but some of the infuriated riders who could not come to terms with the loss, kept peeping to catch a glimpse of the ongoings in the police post. Kinoti has said investigations into the matter have began.

October 26, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Elders Reveal What To Do With Serial Killer Masten Wanjala’s Body To Avoid Curses In His Family

by Yahil Felix October 26, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Days after serial killer Masten Wanjala’s family disowned him for fear of curses, elders from Bukusu community have come out to reveal what can be done to the body to avoid the curses.

According to them, the killer’s body can be buried by the banks of any river to make the family safe. Isaac Misiko an elder who addressed the media said the only way to ensure the family’s safety from curses is by burying their son away from home.

“The only option for the family is to bury the body of Wanjala away from the homestead and along a river bank,” said Misiko while addressing the media. He added that he should be put in his grave at night.

He said rituals should be performed before he is buried so that evil spirits that might haunt the family are done away with.

According to Misiko, burying someone near the river means that the family will forget about what he did in the past, as the memories will be driven downstream.

He also said before his body is picked from the morgue, one is expected to engage him in talks at his native home. What follows then is being spilled with some concoction to cleanse him and the whole family.

Misiko further said the person who will have conversations with Wanjala will be gifted with a bull and while leaving the compound, he is expected not to look behind until he arrives home.

This comes three days after Wanjala’s family disowned him, saying they will not lay him to rest and asked the government to bury him instead.

The self-confessed serial killer who said he had ended lives of more than ten children was lynched by locals in the evening of Thursday, October 14.

“As a family we are not ready in any way to bury him as it might bring curses and that will not be good to the family,” Robert Watila, father to Masten Wanjala said.

He said this after the whole family missed his post-mortem which was done at Bungoma County Referral Hospital.

October 26, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Police Officers Allegedly Injure Private Parts Of A 22-Year-Old Man

by Yahil Felix October 26, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Ngungani police officers in Kitui County are on spot after allegedly injuring the private parts of a 22-year-old man. The man from Mumoni said that the officers beat him while he was in their custody.

Japheth Mutinda in an interview at a local TV station narrated what happened during the fateful day. He said his agony began when he asked a Boda boda rider to take him home after having a few drinks from a local bar.

He said the rider had agreed to take him home for a Ksh 50 fee. Midway, he claimed the rider refused to honor their earlier agreement and demanded for double pay.

It is at this time that they disagreed leading to the rider assaulting him.

“I told the Boda boda rider to take me home after having a few drinks at a bar. The rider then stopped midway and demanded a double pay of the initial agreement which I could not afford at that time. I asked him to allow me to pay the following day but he refused,” said Mutinda.

Mutinda claimed that the rider went on and reported him to the area assistant chief, framing him for him up. The assistant chief subsequently came to arrest him at his home in company of police officers from Ngugani.

He said during the arrest, he was asked to give out the knife he used to threaten the rider. When he decline having a knife, he was threatned to be taken to an unknown destination if he doesn’t produce it.

Mutinda further said when they reached the Ngugani police station, the station’s OCS started beating him demanding the knife. He said the OCS and his fellow officers beat him while naked.

He said that it is during this beating that his private parts were injured. Mutinda is currently receiving treatment at Mwingi Level IV Hospital.

He calls upon the Independent Police Oversight Authority to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

October 26, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

New Trouble For British Soldier Who Murdered A Woman In Nanyuki As LSK Demands This

by Yahil Felix October 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi has called on the British government to surrender the British soldier suspected of killing a woman in Nanyuki for probe and prosecution.

Havi’s response comes a few days after The Sunday Times ran an investigative piece alleging the soldier’s involvement in the killing of Agnes Wanjiru and subsequent cover-up.

During an interview with Spice FM radio, Havi said it’s time the British High Commissioner to do something more than talking.

“There could be a motive to conceal the crime. That explains why this particular case has taken time to unfold. They must surrender the suspect as soon as possible for investigations to be concluded and the suspect prosecuted for this heinous murder.

When the story was released, the British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said the British government is cooperating with Kenya’s investigation authorities.

She noted that the British soldiers’ conduct in Kenya is important to the High Commission.

Nelson Havi added that crimes by the soldiers in question are prevalent and questioned what they’re doing in Kenya.

He said their transgressions had prevailed and recently, they lighted a fire that killed an elephant and no action was taken.

The bosy of the 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru was found decomposing by a hotel worker while running his daily routine in March 31st, 2012.

October 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Manchester United Vs Liverpool Match Leads To Students Riot, School Closed

by Yahil Felix October 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

As football enthusiasts focused on the match between Manchester Unite and Liverpool on Sunday, the students of Kirimara Boys High School in Mathira were unlucky after the school allegedly denied them a chance to watch the match.

According to area senior Chief Ephraim Wathua, the learners were angered by the fact that the hall where they used to watch football had been tuned into a dormitory to create space for students during the pandemic.

He added that the students wanted a mid-term break claiming the weeks they will stay in school for third term are too many.

Consequently, the school was closed on Monday when the learners returned to school after spending the night out.

The much hyped match ended well for Liverpool fans after the team ripped off Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah led with a hat-trick which extended his score record to 10 straight games in all competitions. Klopp equally received praises for the whole of his attack.

Subsequently, the humiliation Manchester United faced during the match has sparked uproar as the team seeks to have a come back amidst talks of changing the management.

October 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

UDA Aspirant On Spot As Woman Cries For Rescue

by Yahil Felix October 25, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

A UDA aspirant is on spot over a woman who has cried out for help in Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old woman is asking to be rescued from her employer in the Arab country before she ends up dead.

Nice Nayaz, a university graduate has been working as a house help in Saudi Arabia for the past three months. She alleges that she has never received her salary and she has been assaulted severally when she asked for her dues.

Sources say that an agency owned by an aspiring MCA for Kangema Ward Sultan Mundia took her to the country promising that she would be working as a cleaner in a company, only to end up working as a maid.

The politician is vocal about his candidacy on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and is currently busy campaigning for his seat in Kangema.

The woman’s family has written to the agency to repatriate her back to Kenya, arguing that there has been a breach of contract between her and the company.

According to a letter from advocate Gregory Ndege addressed to Echo Media Technology Co. Ltd located at Kimathi House in Nairobi, Nice claims that she has been sexually harassed by her employer.

The lawyer has demanded for her immediate release and return to Kenya, saying her parents are ready and willing to pay for her travel expenses.

Also in a voice recording to the agency, Nice says she has been working without rest or sleep.

“They locked me inside like a prisoner with CCTV watching me every time. It’s modern-day slavery. If I choose to come back home, why can’t I be released? This is too much. Kindly do something,” she said.

She added that there are other 36 girls going through the same ordeal and action should be rescued. She said she is tired and fatigued as she wakes up at 5:30 am and sleeps at 11:00 pm.

“I need to rest. They treat us as if we are stones. I just want to come back home. I will die here. My body cannot continue anymore,” Nice said.

In response, the owner of the company, Sultan Mundia, claims the lady has refused to work and this has brought a problem with the company’s payment system. He said the lady will receive her payment by Thursday, October 28, 2021.

October 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

Why The Family Of Serial Killer Masten Wanjala Has Refused To Bury Him

by Mustafa Juma October 25, 2021

written by Mustafa Juma

Days after the self-confessed serial killer Masten Wanjala was murdered by a mob in his rural home in Mukhweya, Bungoma County, his family has refused to bury him.

According to one of his kins who spoke to a local media over the weekend, burying him in their Bungoma home would spell doom to the family.

The kin who chose to remain anonymous explained that having the serial killers body lay in their home would bring a curse not only upon the family but also the clan at large.

Eearlier on , Robert Watila, Wanjala’s father had requested the state to give him his son’s body for burial. However, the family is yet to collect his body from the morgue. They have since renounced any association with their infamous kin who hit the headlines for wrong reasons.

The family was also absent Wednesday, October 20, when a postmortem was conducted on the deceased’s body by detectives from the homicide team.

Abiud Musungu, an assistant chief at Mukhweya Village, revealed that the authorities have asked the family and the clan at large to take a DNA test and bury their son. However, the family rejected the call , asking for more time to deliberate over the matter.

The family member also disclosed that they had contemplated to suing the government over Wanjala’s death. They claimed foul play, specifically raising questions on how he managed to escape police custody yet he was always heavily guarded.

Wanjala was lynched by a mob on October 15 in his parent’s home in Mukhweya village, Bungoma County after he escaped from Jogoo Road Police Station in Nairobi, under unclear circumstances.

October 25, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations Latest News

Pokot Man Shocks His Village After Walking To His Funeral

by Yahil Felix October 23, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Residents of Kongela, kapenguria in Pokot were left in shock after a man wwhom they thought dead resurfaced in his funeral.

According to sources, women selling vegatables in the market were feeling a stench smell from the nearby bushes.

Upon checking the decomposing body, it resembled that of one Muriumeler.

“We experienced a strong odour from the bushes that keep increasing each day. We notified other residents and upon checking, we found a decomposing body resembling that of Muriumeler,” they said.

They informed the man’s family who went on to plan a funeral date for their ‘son.’

Muriumeler then decided to call his brother who worked nearby to confirm his fears.

“I was running my daily routine in Chepareria market when I noticed all the people I met from my village kept on telling me ‘pole‘ and revealed that people were mourning me in the village,” said Muriumeler.

He later decided to visit his village in Kongelai and true to his brothers words, the people were mourning him.

The man said he faced a rough time trying to convince his people that he was not dead as they kept saying it was his spirit that had visited them.

The police prevented the family from burying the body of the man they earlier thought to be Muriumeler.

Since then, the body is preserved at Kapenguria mortuary and is yet to be identified.

October 23, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations Latest News

How A Fake Toyota Kenya Employee Conned A Mechanic Into Giving Him A Job

by Yahil Felix October 19, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

A man got himself in trouble after conning a mechanic to produce academic papers, toolbox, overall and cash in order to secure him a job at Toyota Kenya.

He was arraigned in court after arrest by the public. According to court documents, Mututhu Makau obtained Ksh. 3000 from Clement Mutisya with the intentions of defrauding him.

Makau obtained the money by pretending he was in a position to obtain an insurance cover which was alleged to be part of the internship requirements.

It is reported that he comitted offence on September 17, 2021 within South C in Lang’ata constituency.

A police statement read that the accused met with Mr. Mutisya who was looking for a job and offered to help him get a job in Toyota Kenya stationed in South C.

Makau then entrapped Mutisya by asking for Ksh 3000, overall, and toolbox all valued at 15000 and academic papers.

He then asked him to wait for him as he returns with good news.

An elated Mutisya waited for his ‘good’ friend the for hours but he didn’t return. Sensing malice, he went to Toyota Kenya offices.

He asked if there’s an employee going by the accused person’s name. He learnt there was no such name there and the internship position was a scam.

He tried reaching the accused but his calls went unanswered. He later reported at Akila police station which led to commencement of an investigation.

Makau was arrested a month later by the members of the public along Popo road and frog marched to the police without explaining a thing.

He appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Renee Kitagwa at Kibera law courts where he pleaded not guilty.

He was granted a cash bail of Ksh 30,000 pending his next mention on October 27, 2021.

October 19, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations Latest News

German National Found Dead After Heated Argument With Nyeri Wife

by Yahil Felix October 19, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

A German national was recently found dead after a heated argument with his wife.

According to DCI chief George Kinoti, the 75 year-old Weise Klaus Armin, was involved in a heated argument with his 38-year-old wife Rosemary Wangui before his lifeless body was found hanging from the doorframe of their bedroom.

According to reports, Wangui had gone to see her ailing mother in Othaya on the fateful day.

When she returned later, she found his husband breathing fire, accusing her of infidelity.

To avoid this, she flee from her home after the husband threatened to kill her with a knife. It is then alleged that he locked himself in their bedroom where his lifeless body was later found.

When the police arrived in the couple’s home at Muhasibu Area in Gamerock in Nyeri, they broke into the bedroom and found Armin’s body hanging from a rope.

“A team of homicide experts from DCI headquarters with a back up teak from Crime Research and intelligence bureau as well as crime scene detectives analyzed the scene forensically, took statements from various sources and are awaiting for the deceased’s kin to arrive from Germany for a post mortem,” said Kinoti.

October 19, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

New Details Emerge On How Bandits Acquire Dangerous M-16 Rifles

by Yahil Felix October 18, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Former Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya claimed that bandits wreaking havoc in Laikipia are using sophisticated weapons and most people thought it was a joke.

But on October 12, security officers killed an armed bandit in Longowean, Samburu West and recovered an M16 rifle that had 25 rounds of ammunition. The bandit was among a gang that had attacked the area and driven away 27 heads of cattle.

Police arrested Dakitari Lokombayo and presented him at Maralal court last week Tuesday and is still being held as the police were given two weeks to conclude investigations.

Earlier on, Natembeya said that while the police are using ordinary AK-47 and G3 rifles, he wondered where the bandits got the M16 and other military weapons.

Intelligence reports indicate that they get the sophisticated weapons and food from their leaders in support of Moranism.

According to Nation, Ethiopian rebels known as Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) anf others are the main sources of such guns.

They are then smuggled to the country through porous boarders. The DCI have commenced their investigations into this.

A senior officer at DCI said the assault rifle recovered from the arrested bandit had a flag of a neighboring country and was manufactured in the US.

Gun laws are strict in Kenya. For one to acquire, it requires a comprehensive background check and interviews. However, pastoralist communities who rarely have government security get the guns from black market.

These rifles are acquired from leaders who support cattle rustling. They offer them at a price between Ksh 5000 and 20,000 or two cows depending on the type of gun.

Kenya easily gets the guns as it is surrounded by countries in conflict such as the South Sudan where local communities sell them for food.

Others are Somalia, Ethiopia and Uganda. The Deputy Director of the National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr. Charles Owino said the government is not giving up on the war on illegal firearms.

He added that East African countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and the 15 countries who are members of the Nairobi Protocol for the prevention, control and reduction of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes region and the horn of Africa to fight against the proliferation of illegal firearms in the region.

A security expert, Mr. Richard Otieno said it’s a family of military rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle for the US army.

The original M-16 rifle was 5.56mm×45mm assault rifle that can fire 40-60 rounds per minute.

In 1964, M-16 entered the US military service and in the subsequent year, it was deployed for use in jungle warfare during Vietnam war.

It has been widely adopted by armed forces around the world. The worldwide production of M-16 rifles is approximately eight million of the 5.56 mm caliber.

In 2016, a report indicates that there are over 600,000 illegal firearms among the pastoralist communities in Kenya and up to 700,000 illicit arms countrywide .

October 18, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

LSK Comes To DPP’s Defense Amidst Wrangles With DCI

by Yahil Felix October 16, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has come to defend the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji’s decision not to charge Court of Appeal judge Sankale Ole Kantai over the murder of Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen.

The group has said only Haji has powers to charge or not, depending on the evidence produced during investigations.

LSK president Nelson Havi said the tussle between Haji and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti over the judge is unnecessary as the latter does not have powers to charge.

“A review of the documents filed in court in Petition E334 f 2021, Justice Sankale Ole Kantai versus Inspector General of Police and others is indicative of brazen, unconstitutional and unlawful attempt by the DCI to stray, foray into the constitutional mandate of the DPP and in the process, imperil the functions of the DPP,” said Havi.

On Tueday, Cohen’s family lawyers filed a petition on behalf of his sister Gabriel Hannan Van Straten, seeking to remove Haji from office for refusing to charge the senior judge.

The DPP cleared him but Tob Cohen’s sister claims he was involved in the murder.

The sister claims that the DPP has demonstrated abuse of power and office by restraining the DCI from arresting Judge Sankale over the murder.

In response, Haji said he will reply to the allegations once Public Service Commission in accordance with Article 158 of the constitution.

However, LSK president claims the DCI is involved in the petition. He alleges that DCI are striving to control DPP on the matter.

LSK argues that, based on the Constitution, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution Act 2013 and the National Police Service Commission Act 2011 and the guidelines on the decision to charge 2019, the DCI cannot instate charges without the DPP’s permission.

According to Havi, the creation of DPP as an independent office was o offer checks and balances and to prevent abuse of power of criminal investigation.

DCI argues that the judge was involved in the murder as he constantly communicated with the tycoon’s widow Sarah Wairimu Cohen six hours after the murder of the businessman.

John Gachomo, a senior assistant Inspector General of Police based at DCI headquarters claims forensic investigations places the judge at the scene of crime.

“On of the calls between the petitioner and Sarah Wairimu Kamotho lasted for six minutes continuously. The late Tob Cohen was murdered about six hours after the suspicious communication,” argued Gachomo.

In court, Gachomo also claims the judge illegally transferred Cohen shares and allegedly helped Wairimu change her statement. But the DPP says the evidence from DCI shows nothing to collaborate their claims.

October 16, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

How A ‘Famous’ Cap Left Man In Trouble, Charged In Kibera Law Courts

by Yahil Felix October 16, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

John Auka didn’t know that his most beloved cap, that is, famous cap would one day betray him. He appeared before Kibera Law Courts charged for housebreaking and carting away the door with the padlock after stealing items. He was released on bond of Ksh. 100,000.

It is reported that he forgot his famous cap at the house he had gone to steal from. He allegedly forgot the cap while running away with stolen items.

According to court documents, Auka broke into Fridah Khanzika’s house in Nairobi and stole decoders, a DVD player, two phones,a solar system, a laptop, and a dozen of exercise books on September 128.

It is reported he heaved away the broken door which had a padlock still clutched to it. Khanzika was reportedly away for her daily hustles while the incident happened.

Her children remained stranded outside after important items in their house were stolen. Khanzika came back and realized her items worth more than Ksh. 69000 were missing.

Amid her shock, she stumbled on a cap which she suspected to belong to Auka, having seen him wear it several times.

Her neighbors aslo confirmed they had seen Auka within the residential area.

She reported the matter to the olice which led to the arrest of Auka. He denied the theft charge before Kibera court principal Sharon Maroro.

He was released on a cash bail of Ksh. 50,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh. 100,000 before trial.

October 16, 2021 0 comment

Crime & Investigations

How Motorists Lose Cash To Con Mechanics In Machakos Town

by Yahil Felix October 16, 2021

written by Yahil Felix

Catcalling is widely associated with sexual harassment but in Machakos town, it has been normalised. It is used by a gang of mechanics targeting gullible motorists to con.

Glogon is a busy section of the town along Machakos-Kitui road, It is set aside for jua kali artisans. Motorists driving through the area have to contend with catcalls and waving from the cons from the roadside.

They are draped with oily overalls and constantly looking over their shoulders. The youthful ‘mechanics’ who either work in pairs of groups of three try to get the attention of random motorists while animatedly pointing to a part of the vehicle.

Innocent motorists who fall for their tricks will pay expensively for air as the mechanics remove parts of the vehicles and return them despite charging for new ones.

According to Nation.Africa, the cons work in a groups with selected motor vehicle spare dealers. Safe in the security of their numbers, they exude an air of impunity.

Several motorists especially women have fallen prey to these con men.

Most report such incidences to the police while others publish their experiences on social media.

Reports say that when an unsuspecting motorist responds to the catcalls, two or three men approach them and tell them their wheel is loose. They then start fixing it before the driver accepts the deal.

While at it, the con men discover other parts in ‘bad condition.’ They then recommend replacement with new ones to avoid bigger problems.

This is what befell one Mary Kyalo, a teacher when she was posted to a school a year ago.

“Three friendly looking men approached me and pointed at my front wheels saying it was loose and needed fixing. They offered to do the job at Sh. 200. They then said they have ‘discovered’ more problems underneath the car, they said the bushings are badly worn out, they led me to a nearby spares shop that charged Sh. 4000 for brand new bushings,” said Mary.

She said trouble began when she noticed that they had spilled oil under the car to create an impression that the engine had leaked, and wanted Ksh 9000 to fix it. Mary created alarm then a friend who was aware of the trickery responded and the men vanished.

Several sources say one is sure when the con mechanics started this, they however suspect the rapid growth of Machakos town led to it.

“The late retired President Arap Moi allocated four acres of land to jua kali artisans at Glogon in 1984. Since the two has ran out of space to accommodate the new mechanics, they are forced to work on the roadsides. This is how the mechanics attract rogue elements,” said Abednego Mwandi, the secretary general of the association of jua kali artisans in the county.

Amidst the outcry over the fraudulent activity, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua’s administration in 2019 gave roadside mechanics a yard on the side of Iveti hills.

They had a simple thinking, getting the mechanics from the roadsides and registering them to make it easier to weed out the cons.

Genuine mechanics named the new yard Haki Jua Kali Mechanics to draw a moral compass and distinguish them from the cons. However, the interventions didn’t help.

Some of the cons own stalls in the yards. They report in the morning then leave for their work station near the bus station. Haki Jua Kali Mechanics chairman, Henry Musyoki has said the group are a bunch of rotten apples giving them a bad name.

The cons according to the chair man have devised new ways of conning the motorists, they lie that the government had relocated the rogue mechanics and therefore they are the real deal.

Machakos Sub-County Police Commander Moss Ndiwa has acknowledged the security threats posed by the con mechanics. But he said that the victims rarely report to the police.

Police conduct a crack down on the rogue mechanics once in a while but none has been charged.

October 16, 2021 0 comment

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